The minor district (king amphoe) was established on 15 August 1967, when four tambons: Hua Taphan, Kham Phra, Nong Kaeo, and Kheng Yai were split off from Mueang Amnat Charoen district.[1] It was upgraded to a full district on 17 November 1971.[2] In 1993 it was one of the districts which formed the new province, Amnat Charoen.[3]
The district is divided into eight sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 85 villages (mubans). Hua Taphan is a township (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of tambons Hua Taphan, Nong Kaeo, and Rattanawari. There are a further seven tambon administrative organizations (TAO).